The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes is one of the summer highlights of the British flat season and a resurgent Auguste Rodin faces a maximum of 10 rivals in the marquee G1, including Longines Dubai Sheema Classic winner Rebel’s Romance.
Sam Turner assesses the contenders and offers a verdict on their chances.
Auguste Rodin (Aidan O’Brien)
This six-time G1 winner bounced back from an abject display in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March to finish second in the Tattersalls Gold Cup before impressing in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot where his speed figure exceeded anything he had achieved before. His propensity to thrown in a poor run was never more evident than in this race last year (last of 10) but he remains the one to beat returned to 2400m, providing the ground is on the quick side.
Bluestocking (Ralph Beckett)
This progressive filly ran creditably in defeat last season and left some frustrating reverses behind this year with an impressive success in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes on her return before overhauling Emily Upjohn in a dramatic G1 event at the Curragh last month. Stepping back up to 12 furlongs will be an advantage, but history suggests the daughter of Camelot has produced her best effort on good or softer ground and faster conditions on Saturday will pose a different test.
Continuous (Aidan O’Brien)
Looked in need of the run in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes when a shade too keen for his own good and is entitled to step forward markedly for that initial outing. Boasted the class to win a St Leger in style before producing what was arguably a career best effort to finish fifth in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. A strong stayer at the trip, he looks a solid contender for a podium finish.
Dubai Honour (William Haggas)
Another fine globetrotter like Rebel’s Romance and, like his rival, arrives looking for a top level breakthrough in Britain. Tackles this race on the back of a tenacious success in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and remains unexposed over this trip having raced predominantly over 2000m. Balance of form suggests he needs to improve again and there is a suspicion his best efforts have come with a little cut in the ground.
Goliath (Francis-Henri Graffard)
Lightly-raced colt who excelled with a fine second in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes on his first start in Britain at Royal Ascot. Connections feel he is a better horse with some give in the ground and he is sure to relish the prospect of a healthy gallop courtesy of the Ballydoyle massive.
Hans Anderson (Aidan O’Brien)
A G3 winner in his own right, but likely to be employed purely as a pacemaker. Any other outcome would represent a fairytale!
Luxembourg (Aidan O’Brien)
Relished the return to 2400m in the Coronation Cup when given a masterful ride from the front by Ryan Moore. That took his form figures to 13171242201 at the elite level and, given he is better suited by a sound surface, there is every chance he can make an impact, especially as there was only half a length between him and stablemate Auguste Rodin in last year’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.
Rebel’s Romance (Charlie Appleby)
This extremely likeable middle-distance campaigner has clocked up more miles than an Emirates pilot in recent times and was seen to great effect in March when winning a competitive renewal of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. A subsequent trip to Hong Kong – no easy place to go and win - yielded more G1 glory in May and he looks to have major claims of a breakthrough British G1 win with his trainer reporting his six-year-old had “never been better’ on returning from his latest foreign raid.
Middle Earth (John and Thady Gosden)
Progressive stayer who has graduated well to Group company judged on another creditable effort in the Hardwicke Stakes last time out. Was hampered by a sluggish start that day before doing his best work in the straight. Would arguably need a proper stamina test at this trip to become a player and others may have a little more inherent class.
Point Lonsdale (Aidan O’Brien)
Posted one of his best efforts for some time in the Sheema Classic when five lengths adrift of Rebel’s Romance in March and built on that performance at Chester on his next start. Could only manage third behind Dubai Honour in France when last seen and it would represent a big surprise if he was to prevail at this level.
Sunway (David Menuisier)
The only three-year-old in the field and bounced back to form with a fine effort in the G1 Irish Derby last time; a performance which represented a career best. A top-level winner as a juvenile, he looked more at home over 2400m on a sound surface in Ireland, finishing his race off powerfully, and is reportedly training well ahead of this test.
Verdict:
The weather could play a part in the destination of this prestigious event. If the showers miss Ascot then Auguste Rodin will take some beating, although he did run appallingly in this event 12 months ago. With that in mind, a resurgent Rebel’s Romance narrowly gains the nod as he looks to complete a five timer. The unexposed Sunway and Continuous are dangers and could easily trouble the main protagonists.
